Duracell is the reported maker of Kirkland alkaline batteries sold by Costco; a 2019 court complaint also identifies that relationship, but current factory assignments and identical chemistry are Unconfirmed. [1][2][3]

Who makes Kirkland Batteries?

Owner
Costco Wholesale owns the Kirkland Signature private label. The brand owner and the factory making an individual product are separate roles. [3]
Made by
Duracell, according to February 2026 reporting that cites Costco CEO Craig Jelinek’s 2016 interview. The 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA alkaline batteries; allegations are not a court finding. [1][2]
Made in
A current pack-to-factory allocation is Unconfirmed in the reviewed evidence. The reported Duracell relationship does not identify one plant for every Kirkland battery size or country of sale. [1][2]

Last checked · 3 sources · English source review

Kirkland Batteries supply chain map

Select a node to inspect its role and evidence. Arrows show ownership or manufacturing relationships, not shipment volumes.

Brand

→ Owner

→ Manufacturer

→ Factory

Kirkland Batteries

Duracell is the reported maker of Kirkland alkaline batteries sold by Costco; a 2019 court complaint also identifies that relationship, but current factory assignments and identical chemistry are Unconfirmed.

Evidence: [1][2][3]

Text version of the map

  • Kirkland Batteries (Brand): Duracell is the reported maker of Kirkland alkaline batteries sold by Costco; a 2019 court complaint also identifies that relationship, but current factory assignments and identical chemistry are Unconfirmed. [1][2][3]
  • Kirkland Batteries → Costco Wholesale (Owner): Costco Wholesale owns the Kirkland Signature private label. The brand owner and the factory making an individual product are separate roles. [3]
  • Costco Wholesale → Kirkland Batteries manufacturing (Manufacturer): Duracell, according to February 2026 reporting that cites Costco CEO Craig Jelinek’s 2016 interview. The 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA alkaline batteries; allegations are not a court finding. [1][2]

Who owns Kirkland Batteries?

Costco Wholesale owns the Kirkland Signature private label. The brand owner and the factory making an individual product are separate roles. [3]

Ownership guides: Kirkland BourbonKirkland CoffeeKirkland DiapersKirkland Dog FoodKirkland Golf BallsKirkland paper towelsKirkland TequilaKirkland Toilet PaperKirkland VodkaKirkland Signature

Who actually makes Kirkland Batteries products?

The dated evidence concerns alkaline cells, including AAA batteries discussed in the 2019 complaint. It does not establish one manufacturer for every battery product Costco sells, such as automotive batteries. [2][1]

Where are Kirkland Batteries products made?

The reviewed reporting identifies the maker but does not establish a complete production-site list for current Kirkland alkaline packs. A brand’s headquarters is not a reliable country-of-origin label. [1]

Is Kirkland Batteries made in China or the USA?

US versus China origin for an individual pack remains Unconfirmed here. Use the actual package’s country marking rather than assuming all Duracell-made private-label cells have the same origin. [1][2]

Same factory, different label

The Duracell manufacturing connection does not prove the Kirkland formula, capacity or production line is identical to Duracell Coppertop or Optimum. The reviewed documents do not provide that specification comparison. [1][2]

Compare the sourced ownership and manufacturing guides: Kirkland SignatureKirkland CoffeeKirkland Toilet PaperKirkland TequilaKirkland BourbonKirkland VodkaKirkland Dog FoodKirkland Golf BallsKirkland DiapersKirkland paper towels

Ownership timeline

  1. 2016: The Costco CEO interview cited in 2026 reporting identified Duracell as the maker. [1]
  2. 2019-01-31: The Siddle complaint described Kirkland AAA cells as made for Costco by Duracell. [2]
  3. 2026-02-06: SlashGear revisited the Duracell manufacturing relationship. [1]

Frequently asked questions

4 questions about this supply chain, answered from the records above.

Who makes kirkland batteries?

Duracell, according to February 2026 reporting that cites Costco CEO Craig Jelinek’s 2016 interview. The 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA alkaline batteries; allegations are not a court finding.[1][2]

Who owns Kirkland?

Costco Wholesale owns the Kirkland Signature private label. The brand owner and the factory making an individual product are separate roles.[3]

Who makes Kirkland?

Duracell, according to February 2026 reporting that cites Costco CEO Craig Jelinek’s 2016 interview. The 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA alkaline batteries; allegations are not a court finding.[1][2]

Who manufactures Kirkland?

Duracell, according to February 2026 reporting that cites Costco CEO Craig Jelinek’s 2016 interview. The 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA alkaline batteries; allegations are not a court finding.[1][2]

Sources and scope

Year-only source dates denote the report’s coverage year. Dated disclosures establish the facts described at that time. Plant output, contracts and ownership can change; this is a selected map, not a complete supplier census.

  1. [1] SlashGear: who makes Costco batteries — 2026-02-06 · Reporting · Reviewed 2026-10-21.

    February 2026 reporting identifies Duracell and cites the 2016 Costco CEO interview; no universal current factory allocation.

  2. [2] Siddle v. Duracell: 2019 complaint and Kirkland battery labels — 2019-01-31 · Primary source · Reviewed 2026-10-21.

    January 31, 2019 complaint describes Duracell making Kirkland AAA cells and reproduces labels; allegation, not adjudicated finding.

  3. [3] Costco Annual Report 2025 — 2025 · Primary source · Reviewed 2026-10-21.

    Costco owns Kirkland; 2025 shareholder letter marks 30th trademark anniversary and expanded meat/coffee manufacturing.

Unconfirmed

  • Current plant locations, country of origin for every size/market, supplier changes after the cited evidence and identical chemistry with Duracell-branded cells.